Alphabet Dating: 26 Unique & Thrilling Dating Ideas in Cincinnati

Have you heard of Alphabet dating? We have tons of ideas to get you started in the Cincinnati area!

Each date is curated around each letter of the alphabet. This guide is specific to the Cincinnati area to help couples try new local spots for their date nights!

Let’s get into our Alphabet Dating ideas!

A – F Alphabet Dating

Axe Throwing

Try axe throwing at Flying Axes in Covington KY!

They also have a super cool bar located upstairs. Make sure to check out Second Story while you’re there as well!

Bouquet Restaurant

Enjoy a romantic dinner at Bouquet in Covington KY. This restaurant is farm-to-table and has a seasonally rotating menu which is ALWAYS delicious. My husband loves their Wagyu meatballs plate which is typically always on the menu!

We had our rehearsal dinner here and the staff are SO attentive. The staff is also amazing when it comes to dietary restrictions.

Candle Lab

Create your own candle at The Candle Lab OTR. I’ve been to this location twice and it is SO fun to sniff all the amazing scents and create your own fragrance!

First, you pick out your candle holder which come at a variety of price points. Then, you get a chance to sniff a huge variety of scents. The employees will help you determine what scents go best together. They will also help you mix the oils.

It takes 1-2 hours for the candles to cool. While you wait, you can grab a drink or bite to eat in OTR! Enjoy a drink at Somerset outdoor garden bar or try some Mexican food at Gomez.

Alphabet Dating - Candle Lab
The Candle Lab OTR

Devou Park

Head to Devou Park in Covington KY for a picnic, golf outing, or just to stroll and take in the views!

The best city overlook is located behind Drees Pavilion. You can also check out their golf course as well.

East Fork State Park

East Fork is perfect for an outdoorsy date!

I recommend the East Fork Beach Trail. It is a total of 5 miles and offers a shaded & wooded hike. The views of the lake are the best part of the hike!

Alphabet Dating - East Fork State Park
East Fork Beach Trail

They also have a campground, fishing, boating, and horseback riding (BYOH – Bring Your Own Horse). Check out their full list of activities here.

Fox Hollow Rodeo

This rodeo is on the north side of Cincinnati and is SO much fun. Fox Hollow Rodeo is open every Saturday year round and admission is only $15 per adult!

The rodeo is indoors in the winter and outdoors during the summer. They have typical stadium snacks available for purchase. However, you cannot purchase alcohol here.

I recommend checking out Game Day Grille and Patio for dinner before heading to the rodeo.

Alphabet Dating - Fox Hollow Rodeo
Fox Hollow Rodeo

G – L Alphabet Dating

Ghost Baby

This speakeasy is in Over the Rhine and is such a cool bar! The vibes are great and they have an amazing cocktail menu. Make sure to snag a reservation before coming here! Check them out here.

Hofbräuhaus

Hofbräuhaus is a unique restaurant specializing in traditional German fare. There is often live music and the bier garden is beautiful!

Igby’s

This bar is right downtown and has such a cool atmosphere! Igby’s is definitely worth checking out!

Jungle Jim’s

Check out this international grocery store which is such a unique experience! We can easily explore Jungle Jim’s for hours and bring home new finds! This is the perfect grocery store if you are interested in finding ingredients to replicate international recipes.

My husband and I became obsessed with patacones (find a recipe here) after our trip to Costa Rica. We were able to find all the ingredients at Jungle Jim’s to make them at home!

Kings Island

Explore this amusement park and try out some of the thrilling rides and carnival games! During the summer, you can also check out their water park and relax on the lazy river.

BONUS: check out their Fall Fest or Winter Fest

Louvino OTR

Try Louvino for a romantic dinner date or a delicious brunch spot. For brunch, I definitely recommend a mimosa pitcher!

Alphabet Dating - Louvino OTR
Louvino OTR

M – Q Alphabet Dating

MadTree Brewing

This brewery is absolutely HUGE! MadTree is perfect to grab a beer and bite to eat.

Psychopathy and Shade are two popular beers. They typically feature seasonal beers as well.

BONUS: Try their sister location, Alcove by MadTree, to experience their beers and enjoy a farm-to-table meal.

New Riff Distilling

Try a distillery tour for your next date! Tours at New Riff book up so make sure to secure a tour in advance.

O’bryons Bar & Grill

This Irish bar and grill has absolutely delicious food and is perfect for a casual date night! O’bryons has a Newport KY and a Cincinnati OH location.

Purple People Bridge

Go for a stroll along the Purple People Bridge which is a walking bridge that connects OH & KY. The bridge has a beautiful city view. My husband also proposed on this bridge!

BONUS: bring a lock with you & your partner’s name written on it. There is a “Love Lock” section of the bridge where you can place your lock!

Queen City Riverboats

Take a boat cruise along the Ohio river! Their river cruise events have an onboard bar and live music.

R – V Alphabet Dating

Ripple Wine Bar

Grab a glass (or bottle) of wine and enjoy some of their great food! My husband and I had our first date at their Covington KY location! Ripple now has a 2nd location in O’bryonville. Definitely recommend getting a reservation!

Alphabet Dating - Ripple Wine Bar
Ripple Wine Bar

Scotti’s Italian

This classic Italian restaurant is over 100 years old and has the coolest atmosphere! My husband and I both love the fettucine alfredo. Call for a reservation!

Alphabet Dating - Scotti's Italian
Scotti’s

Tablespoon Cooking Co

This cooking class in Over the Rhine is a perfect date night! The ingredients are prepped and the staff does all the clean up. All you have to do is cook and enjoy!

We did a chicken and risotto class. The instructions were clear and simple to follow. They have plenty of fun classes including pizza & wine, tacos & margaritas, and fresh pasta making.

Each ticket also includes 2 drinks from the bar. The homemade cookies provided at the end of the class were the BEST.

PLUS: I am a vegetarian and they were great with providing me with a substitute.

Alphabet Dating - TableSpoon Cooking Co
Tablespoon Baking Co

Unwind Wine Bar

Another wine bar to grab some wine and a bite to eat! Located in Hyde Park.

Verona Vineyards

We LOVED this vineyard. The scenery was gorgeous, the wine was delicious, and the owner even has horses you can pet!

Alphabet Dating - Verona Vineyards
Verona Vineyards

W – Z Alphabet Dating

Walt’s Hitching Post

Enjoy a nice steak dinner at Walt’s in Fort Wright KY.

They are known for their steaks and ribs! Plus, the salted rye bread provided to each table is AMAZING.

Xavier University

Explore & stroll through the beautiful campus located in Norwood.

Yellow Springs

Venture about an hour north of Cincinnati to check out this eclectic town. Explore the hiking trails at John Bryant State Park or try Yellow Springs Brewery.

If you go in the fall, definitely check out the Yellow Springs Sunflower Field which is typically in bloom late September through early October.

Also check out Young’s Jersey Dairy for homemade ice cream, mini golfing, batting cages and more!

Zoo

Head over to the Cincinnati Zoo to see some animals! Winter is a great time to go to check out the zoo lights.

What Alphabet Dating ideas do you want to try??

If you found this Alphabet Dating guide helpful, check out my Cincinnati Bachelorette Party Guide.